Analysis
NAICS 423220 is the 2022 national industry for home furnishing merchant wholesalers, part of 42322 (Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers). Census lists 37 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 6,585 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 91,550 people at an average annual payroll of $78,094 per employee (66th percentile of national industries). 50% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include antique home furnishings merchant wholesalers, antique houseware merchant wholesalers, bathroom accessories merchant wholesalers and blankets (except electric) merchant wholesalers, among 37 in all.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 9% and employment fell 4%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 423310, 423620, 423940 and 424130. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, merchant wholesale distribution of wood flooring are classified in 423310 (Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of home furnishings and/or housewares.
Illustrative Examples:
Carpet merchant wholesalers Floor coverings (except wood flooring) merchant wholesalers Glassware, household-type, merchant wholesalers Chinaware, household-type, merchant wholesalers Lamps (i.e., lighting fixtures) merchant wholesalers Household-type cooking utensils merchant wholesalers Curtains merchant wholesalers Draperies merchant wholesalers Linens (e.g., bath, bed, table) merchant wholesalers Window shades and blinds merchant wholesalers
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Merchant wholesale distribution of wood flooring | 423310 Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of household-type gas and electric appliances (except water heaters and heating stoves (i.e., noncooking)) | 423620 Household Appliances, Electric Housewares, and Consumer Electronics Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of precious metal flatware | 423940 Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of disposable paper and plastics tableware and containers | 424130 Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers |
Index entries (37)
- Antique home furnishings merchant wholesalers
- Antique houseware merchant wholesalers
- Bathroom accessories merchant wholesalers
- Blankets (except electric) merchant wholesalers
- Blinds and shades, window, merchant wholesalers
- Brooms and brushes, household-type, merchant wholesalers
- Carpet merchant wholesalers
- Ceramic wall (except structural) and floor tile merchant wholesalers
- Chinaware, household-type, merchant wholesalers
- Closet accessories merchant wholesalers
- Containers, household (except paper and disposable plastics), merchant wholesalers
- Cooking utensils, household-type, merchant wholesalers
- Cups, plastics (except disposable), merchant wholesalers
- Curtains merchant wholesalers
- Dishes, household-type (except disposable plastics, paper), merchant wholesalers
- Draperies merchant wholesalers
- Fireplaces, prefabricated (except gas), merchant wholesalers
- Flatware (except plated, precious) merchant wholesalers
- Floor coverings merchant wholesalers
- Frames and pictures merchant wholesalers
- Furniture coverings and protectors merchant wholesalers
- Glassware, household-type, merchant wholesalers
- Hollowware (except precious metal) merchant wholesalers
- Home furnishings merchant wholesalers
- Housewares (except electric) merchant wholesalers
- Ironing boards merchant wholesalers
- Kitchen utensils, household-type, merchant wholesalers
- Lamps (i.e., lighting fixtures) merchant wholesalers
- Linens (e.g., bath, bed, table) merchant wholesalers
- Mirrors (except automotive) merchant wholesalers
- Mops, household, merchant wholesalers
- Napkins (except paper) merchant wholesalers
- Rugs merchant wholesalers
- Slipcovers merchant wholesalers
- Tableware (except disposable, plated, precious) merchant wholesalers
- Towels and washcloths merchant wholesalers
- Window shades and blinds merchant wholesalers